Typographical assembler



Feb. 12, 1929. 1,701,579

V G. E. MARLATT TYPOGRKPHIQAL ASSEMBLER Filed oct. 26, 1927 4 Sheets-Sheet l INVEN TOR, v

Feb. 12, 1929.

G. E. MARLATT TYPOGRAPHI CAL AS SEMBLER Filed Oct. 25, 1927 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTUEJ Patented Feb. 12, 1929.

.UITED STATES GEORGE E. MARLATT, OF PASADENA, CALIFORNIA.

TYPOGRAPHICAL ASSEMBLER.

Application filid October 25, 1927. Serial No. 228,620.

This invention is concerned primarily with shifting the duplex or upper assembler rail of linotype and such machines by finger-key means, as an improvement over the usual method of shifting the rail in order to cause selected matrices to be supported at an upper or lower level in the assembler. The chief advantage attained is that individual matrices may be caused to lodge at a predetermined level as they enter the assembler, and this without reading the matrices or handling them, and without opening the assembler gate.

An object in view is to combine in one structure all the features essential to a practical device, and to this end I provide means whereby the thickness of the first incoming matrix destined for the lower assembler rail will determine and regulate the initial movement of the upper rail to non-supporting and non-interfering position; means which does not require observance of the matrices when a shift is made from one to another rail or level; a construction sufficiently like the common construction so that its use is natural and an operator will not-be inconvenienced when changing to or from a machine equipped with the improvement; 9. device readily applicable to outstanding machines; a construction which does not complicate or add to the manufacturing cost of machines embodying the improvement; means controlled by keys conveniently located; means which will not interfere with assembling the spacers or socalled spacebands; means which will not interfere with transferring the assembled lines to and through the usual intermediate chan nel as the lines move toward casting position. Minor and contributing improvements which would be useful apart from the primary purpose are also provided and the advantages thereof are set forth hereinafter as the description progresses. c J

In the following description I will outline in detail that form of embodiment of the invention which I have selected for illustration in the drawings accompanying and formingpart of the present specification, this form being primarily provided to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention; It will of course be clear that I am not re strictedto such disclosure, but may depart therefrom in any way within the scope of the invention defined by the claims follow ing the description. The application of my invention to assen'ublers of the elevator type is merely illustrative, and the operative connections would necessarily be varied if the invention were applied to other kinds of assemblers.

The common method of assembling duplex character matrices involves frequent opening and closingof the assembler gate and direct manual handling of the matrices in order to place selected matrices on a selected rail. The index characters on the matrices are read only with difficulty when the matrices are in the assembler, and as aconsequence the assembled line may be sent to the casting station with words or portions thereof at a level other than the one intended. As a typical example may be mentioned a line of capitals' and small capitals wherein the initial letters of principal words must be lowered manually one at a time from upper to lower rail. If the method employed in such a case is that of opening the assembler gate each time a capital letter is collected in the assembler, this in itself is tedious and annoying; and if the complete line is first assembled, then the words must be read to determine which one thereof carry the capital initial letter; and by either method the matrices and spacers are liable to become disorderedand jammed while the assembler gate is open, for the matrix to be lowered or raised must first be turned or tilted in order that its lower lug may clear and pass the upper supporting rail. Substantially the same annoyances occur inci-dent to manipulating the matrices in mixed lines of roman and italic, roman and boldface type, or in quad or leader lines. In the case of quads and leaders, the leader matrices serve for quads if assembled on the upper rail, andthe quads serve for leaders if assembled on the upper rail; and frequently both must be employed in the same quad or leader line since there are not enough of either to fill out a long line in the assembler.

In the accompanying drawings, in which similar reference characters designate similar pats throughout the several views,

Fig. 1 is a front elevation showing the relation of the improved assembler to the keyboard, matrii; delivery throat and line delivery channel of a typographical machine of the linotype class;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing'the assembling elevator in full lines in lowered or niatrix receiving position and n dotted lines m raised or lineeeliverius 'lJOStlfilDlfl; dis a closing the movable manix-supporting rails of the present invention as having been shitted during movement o'tthe assembler from lowered to raised position;

Fig. 3 is a detail;

Fig. lis a perspective view similar to Fi 2 but showing; the movable matrixsupporting rails sh fted to matrix-receiving position;

Fig. is an elevation otthe 1natriX-receiv ing end of the assembler;

Fig.6 is azperspective view otthe assembler gate detached from the assembler;

Fig. 7 isa fragmentary perspective view showing the rear .ivall of the assembler and the present invention applied thereto;

Fig.8 is azbottom view of the assembler. F :9 ma deta1l;

1 1g. Miss a detail; ;Fi i l1.is a plan view taken on the line l:ll of Fig. 5;

l2is asectionon-line12-42 of Fig. 5

Fig. 13 is asection on line lil lg of Fig. 5;

Fig. 1a is a rear view perspective ot' the tront vv-all or the assembler.

In commonpractice only one upper or duplex assembler rail has been provided, corresponding in position to the front rail 1 of this invention. For present purposes I prefer to-provide an opposite rail 2. Nevert-heless, in a cheapened construction, either one oil these rails Will-serve the purpose in view just as a si-ngle'rail hasheretotore served forsupportingthe matrices X in raised position; or. in connection with three-character matrices, theniovable rails may occupy ditterent levels and the rear rail-could serve for supporting matrices at the third level. In order that the front .rail 1 may be readily shifted both longitudinally andtransversely by means of the distant control to be described, I mountthis rail 11in a floating manner betu'eenthe rail cap A andthe .i' ront \vall B otthe assmbler. To this end the'cap A is spaced iii-em the wall B by-means of a. post atthe inner orlreceiving end ot-the assembler. and at theouter end by means eta-spacing plate 4;. I provideafiat torsional spring 5*tor holding the rail 1 insupporting position. Thisspring [its tightly in slits (Fig. 5) in turned-down corners 7 of the rail 1. Midway oi its length this spring 5 is also fixed in a slit 8 in the vertical arm 9 of an angula r shaft 10 .vhichfioats in bearings 11, 12. The reduced end 13 of the vertical arm 9 engages -a pertoration in the rail 1, and when the arm 9 is truly vertical the rail 1 is held in matrix supporting position by reason of the fact that the spring 5 is at a right angle to the-rail '1 throughout itslength although not under tension. As a means for retracting the rail 1 to non-supporting position, I provide aspring-lever 14 the inner end of which is'capable of engaging a stud 9 in the vertical arm 9 and thus forcing-the arm 9 outward against the torsional t'orce ot the 1 to an ,inorout position according to the position of the handle 15. It may be noted thattaespringelever14 is eli'ective to move the rail 1 only when the rail is at its extreme right-hand position. This provision is made because of the presenceofa hook 17on'the rail 1, which clears the rail cap A only at the right-hand end-thereof as in the common constructionand in order to permit the rail 1 to be ;retracted to nonoperative position; therefore. any 1inadvertent movement of the handle {lowhen the rail 1 isaclvancedlongh tudinally to thelei'tovill benon-ettectiveand the parts wvill not be subjected to strain or breakageby reason oi theiact that the hook 17 is locked behind the rail cap A. 1t will be seen that as mounted in the manner described the fiiill is freely movable-both longitudinally and laterally. In addition, I provide for an angular movementotthisrail in. order that its receivingend ,may-be noved outwardly aselected and controlled-distance to ,permi a predetermined group of matrices to drop heretrom to lower position. Fig. 1;...) This isaccomplished by manually holdip the :le'ft-handend of the mill in u hileanov ngthe.reeeivingend,thereof out under control otthe handle/15. jll greater or les numbero't' matrices Willthere't'ore be pern'iitted to droplto lower position accordingiio the amount the mail is permitted to move as controlled at opposite vends. This arrangementv displaces the usual. bri d e section of the duplex gail, which has the d sadv that only :a ndall the matrices arc/sting thereon are caused to.dr p..vhen it is retracted, whereas itajnight bedcsircd to drop more or :teivt'amatricesithan are;supported on the usual br dgesection.

The rear duplex rail 2 is movable longitudinally .in a groove l8 in ,a tumbler 19 mounted in;a bore 20 in the ,back'ivall 21oF the assembler. Thisgtumbler movable axially by means of a finger-piece 22 operatino' in tfiltlin .the back Wall 21. A pin 2stin the fingerpiece 22 engages a spiral groove 25 in a floating shaft- 26 which is fixed to the slide27 on which the supporting ledge 2 is formed. Theshaftfib is movable p and longitudinally in reduced con-ti nuation QOKof the her Fl). By reason of this construction. moven ontot the lingenpiece 22 to t-lieniglitovill causethe tumbler it) to move to theposition shou'n 'n l i 4,l3,-placing the rail in inoperative po .IQDLfl-Ilfl movement of the finger-piece to the left will render the rail operative as shown in Figs. 7. Band others. A. semi-annular V groove 28 in the floating shaft- 26 ,isengaged .bythe end of an operating lG-VQ-l' -29 entering through a slot 30 in the rear wall 21. ln'ovement of this lever by stated, these hooks prevent the rails from being retracted to the left by means of the re tracting spring (39) except as permitted by the normal. advance of the matrices in the assombler.

Longitudinal movement of the front duplex rail 1 is directly controlled by means of a lever 32 having an. offset end 33 which ongages the rail 1 and free to turn in the lever 32. thus permitting of the lateral movement of the rail 1 under control of the ban d e 15. he lever 29 which. controls the rear rail 2 clears through an opening in the assembler floor 35 and both the rear 25) and front 32 controlling lovers are secured to rocker element 36 connected to the assembler by means of a hinge-pin 37. A spring tends to keep the front 1 and rear 2 rails in their right-hand or receiving position, but a stronger spring 39 overcomes such tendency when. it is desired to retract the upper rails so as to permit the matrices to enter the assembler in their lower position. This stronger spring 39 is the common assembling elevator counterbalancing spring, acting in usual manner upon the assembling elevator lover 4-0. A horizontal arm 41 of the rocker 36 is universally connected with a link 42 having its lower end bifurcated (42) and in ongagen'ient with a stud. 43 projecting from the elevator lever 4-0. Since the link 42 is stopped against the stud 43, a downward movement of the lever-4O will permit the weaker spring 38 to move the duplex rails to receiving position, and a return movement of the lever will retract the rails longitudinally as permitted. by the advance of the matrices X in the assembler, only a sight movement of the lever 40 being required to accomplish the desired result. In order that the lever 40 may be thus moved and held in a selected position, Iprovide instead of the usual link connection. between the assembler floor 35 and lever 40, a compound connection comprising a. link 44 extending beyond the lever 40 and connected thereto by means of a return link 45. This indirect connection permits the link 4.4: to swing in an arc while the assembler is at rest in lowered position, and when thus swung the lever 40 will rise and fall accordingly and move the duplex rails, through the connections described. When the counterbaiancing spring 39 moves the lever 40 up as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 4, the effect of such movement is to throw the link 44 to the rear in its arc of movement; therefore moving the link 44 forward will force the lever 40 down by swinging the intermediate link 45 forward at its lower end; and since this movement is resisted by the spring 39, the parts must be latched in order to retain this position. For such purpose I provide an operating lever 46 centrally pivoted on the elevator lever 40 and connected by means of a link 4'" to the end of the swinging link 44. The operating lever 46 carries a stop 48 which engages a notch 49 in a latching lever 50. The latching, lever 50'is pivotally mounted on the aforementioned stud 43, and a spring 51 presses it upward. against the latching stop 48. The forward end 52 of the latch 50 isshaped to serve .as a linger key conveniently located relative to the keyboard Z and especially relative to the spacer key Y which is usually employed immediately before and after shifting the dulex rail. hen this finger key is pressed down the stop 48 is freed from the notch 49 and through the train of connec tions described the duplex rails are retracted longitudinally but gradually as the matrices accumulate in the assembler against the usual assembler-slide finger '77. The assembled slide 7 9 is restored by means of a spring or in any usual manner, and its restoring spring is sufi'iciently strong to oi ercome the ei'fect. of the rail-retracting spring 39', hence therails are retracted only in time with the delivery of matrices to the lower or stationary rails 65565. An auxiliary spring 4'? (Pi 4) may be employed to insure positive and full movement of the parts controlling the retraction of the rails. The releasing movement of the latching lever 46 is limited by contact of the stud 48 with the angular forward end 51" of the spring 51, which projects through the lever 50 for this purpose. The spring 51 is under tension against the lever 40. The compound. connection between the elevator and the lever 40 prevents the rear thrust and friction between the elevator and its guides when the elevator rises, hence is an improvement apart from its other function as described.

Since the duplex railfll must aline with a rail in the usual intermediate channel G through which the matrices are carried toward casting position. it is therefore necessary that the duplex rail 1 be in its right-hand position when the assembler approaches its elevated position; otherwise the assembler rail 1 would be stop pcd beneath the tr ns'ter rail 53 and the matrices could not more from the .ssembler. This necessity is provided for by the-structure as described, as will be seen from a comparison of the drawings showing the assembler in raised and lowered position. If the assembler rail 1 is to the left when the assembler is elevated, the link 42 moves away from the stud l3, and the spring 38 moves the duplex rails to the right before the assembler is fully elevated. This action-will of course cause the operating lever 46 to -move toward. latching position, but the movement thereof is not su'tlicient to cause the latch to function hence the duplex rails will always return to o ren'iain in their previously em ployed po ition when the :ssembler is lowered to normal position. The position of the ClUPlQ'f'I railsto the right when theassenibler is raised has the el'icct ot' loci-ring; the matrices displacement due to jar when the assembler raised with excess torce the mat such position by reason or the i'actthattheir lower lugs are ben ath the duplex rails.

It customary provide a delivery channel alining piece 5 to insure the matrices entering; beneath the rail when assembled in lower position with the duplex rail 1 1e tracted laterally, and the duplex rail. ordinai 1y carries an operating part to raise this alininn' piece when the duplex rail is operative, thus opening the channel above the rail 53. Since the usual, operating: element is not adaptable to the longitudinally movable rail 1 l provide in lieu thereof an element 55 pivoted in the rail cap A. and carrying a stud 56 which clears through an opening 57 and engages a slot 58 in the rail 1, this slot being of sullicient length to permit the requi site .longitudi .al movement of the rail 1; but when the rail 1is moved in or out the operating element thereby caused to engage or miss the alininp; piece accordingly, in manner similar to the usual construction.

The extent of movement of the duplex rail 1 under control of the spring 5 and handle. 15 is limited by means of a boss strip 59 on the rail 1. this boss being- 21C(OllllllOtlfitGCl in a recess (i0 is. the rail cap A and this recess being of appropriate width to permit-0t the necessary transverse movement of the rail 11 0 and from operative position.

In order that the tteatures'added to the assembler by this invention may not materially increase the manufacturing: cost thereof, 1 have eliminated a number of parts heretofore considered essential. Several 0'1 these eliminations are incidental to tie manner of mounting and moving the rail 1. in additier. 1 have sin'iplitied and ggenerally improved the assembler rte as follows: l he bearing shaft 61 and side arms 62 are made inte 'ral and continuous tl'ius providii'ig a more i I l and dependable construction than heretofore en'iployed. For convenience in assembling, this bea rin sh aft enters open bearings (33 and is held. in place by means of pins (ilconcealed beneath a removable lower rail 65. The rail.

projects beyond tl e assembler rront wall. at the. left thereof. providing; full support for the u) )er rail 1 when moved to the left as described. Midway-o? its length the 'f'. shalt ricos in lower position being locked in 61 is provided wit 1 a handle 66 which GKtClH s through an opening 67 in the assembler front wall B, in a position andat an angle convenient for use in opening and closing the gate. Instead of the usual return spring and mechanism atthe lett otthe assembler I provide a simplified construction employing only a wire spring 81 (Fig. 1 1) and anchoring block 68 therefor. At its opposite ends this spring rs in holes (59 and is bent a proper anonnt to exert suflicient pressure to hold the rate i'ltilll'lil lly closed. The construetiini is such. that the feel of the. as it is opened or cl sed the same as heretofore and that to which operators have become accustomed; and the unequal strain exerted at opposite ends of the. gate by reason of the old construction. and atendency to wear away certain parts and leave the gate loose, have been eliminated by my improved constructioin and the handle tor the gate isan added feature. The gate rail 70 is secured to return bends T1 "from the side arms 62, and a line centering scale 72 2) similar to that described in my U, S. Patent No. 1,310,487, may be hung on rod 73 resting in the facing; ends of the return bends 71. In normal position the side arms 62 are stopped against the projecting ends of .the lower rail65 and there held by the spring 81.

The'lower rail 65. isvheld in place by means of screws 74; and may be renewed from time to time as wear occurs at its receiving end. The usual intermediate channel wall D is recessed at $5 130 accommodate the extensions of the lower and upper assembler rails. As before stated, the use and operation of my invention takes into consideration the spring-restored assembler slide 76 and finger 7 7 Assuming that the first matrix ina line is assembled on the upper rails 1. 2 then a shift back to the lower rails will ensue by depressing the latch 50; but in such czse the rail books 17, 31 will be in front or to the right of the last matrix assembled in upper position, hence the duplex rails will retreat to the left gradually as permited by the advance of the assembler finger W as matrices are assembled on the lower rails, the raised matrices moving with the rails so far the rails move to the left. As a result, the spac between the star wheel'78 and the assembler slide finger 7'! is always filled with matrices and spacers, which is of importance since otherwise the matrices would be liable to fall from the supporting; rails and scatter at large. hen the rails are again shi Fed to the right the continuously-revolving starwheel 78 jogs the matrices and a result movement of the upper rails is not resisted by reasono't the weight of the matrices thereon. and the spring 38 will quickly move the rails to receiving position when the operat ing lever 416 is pressed to latching position. Usually a'spacebaml intervenes between loo mal, position, a central handle extending from the pivotal axis of said gate, whereby said gate may be opened and closed Without placing unequal strains thereon.

15. In an assembler for typogrphical elementshaving a gate movable to and from closed position, a spring associated with the pivotal axis of said gate and secured thereto, whereby the strain exerted by said spring to close said gate will'be equal'at opposite ends of said gate.

16. In atypographical machine, an-assembling elevator for typographicalelemerts provided with an upper rail movable to support or reject said elements at an upper level, selectively, a keyboard. for controlling the release of said elements into said assembler, key means adjacent to said keyboard for controlling the movement of said upper rail to and from rejecting or supporting position, selectively, when said, elevator is in assembling positiomand an interconnection betweensaid key, means and said upper rail and movable- With saideleva'tor for. the purpose ofcontrolling the position of saidrail'when said elevator is in elevated position.

17. In an assembling elevator for typegraphical elements, a lever for raising said elevator, a link extending from said elevator to a point below. the swinging end of said lever, and-an intermediate link connected at said pointfand extending upward therefrom to a connection with said'lever, whereby said tudinally to support or reject matrices, selectively, key means for predetermining the position ofsaid rail, a spring for causing said rail" to move to supporting position, the spring-restored assembler slide and finger movable according to and by reason of the accumulation of matrices in the assembler, and'a spring for causing said rail'to move to non-supperting position in time with the movement in a similar direction oi'said assembler slide and finger following the actuaton ofsaidkey means for predetermining such movement of said rail;

19. In a typographical assembler having a duplex rail movablelor receiving or rejecting typographicalelements, selectively, a key for causing the receiving movement ofsaid rail, a separate, key for causing the rejectingmovement thereof, and means whereby the actuation of one of said keys for causing the movementof saidrail in one direction will automatically set the other one thereot'in a position in which its release therefrom will cause the movement of said rail in an opposite direction.

Signed at Los Angeles, Los Angeles county, California, this 19th day of'October, 192?.

GEORGE E. MARLATT. 

